launching pet store campaigns, petitions and protesting webinar...
TRANSCRIPT
Date: Tuesday, July 30th, 2013 and
Saturday, August 3rd, 2013
Version: 2
Presented by: Pam Sordyl, Founder Puppy Mill Awareness of
Southeast Michigan
www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/
Launching Pet Store Campaigns, Petitions and Protesting – Webinar
Introduction
The purpose of this webinar is to train animal advocates how to launch successful pet store campaigns, leverage online petitions, and hold effective protests.
PMA has successfully contributed to the closer of eight SE Michigan Puppy Stores
Example Michigan Campaigns
Paws Total Pet Studio, Northville
Petland, Westland
Paws N Claws, Eastpointe
Greenwood Pets & Plants, Warren
Petland, Novi
The Family Puppy, Flint
Westland Dog Food Co., Westland
Shaggy Dog, Shelby
Utica Pet Supply
Krazie Kritterz, Cheboygan
K9-Cusine, Shelby
Types of Campaigns
Raise awareness Research breeders and collect complaints then talk to mall management and city about concerns. Post results on the web.
Investigative Seek criminal charges and work with law enforcement.
6-month boycott Includes protesting and petitions.
Change the Laws Work with city council to develop an ordinance to ban the retail sale of cats and dogs.
The Family Puppy is Michigan’s largest retail chain with five stores working with mostly Amish puppy
mills in Northern Indiana. Some with 200 dogs and importing 100
puppies per month.
1. Choosing a pet store in your area
Stores with evidence of working with puppy mills, chronic problems, and complaints.
Chains or high volume stores. (Petland)
New stores or those selling as a secondary business.
SE Michigan has approximately 19 retail stores
selling puppies. Blue text = new store.
Collect Information
Store’s website
Store’s Facebook
Owner’s Facebook
Store’s veterinarian
Rescues holding events
Email addresses
Online Reviews
Complaints from local agencies
Breeders and brokers
2011 Paws N Claws, Eastpointe Mi closed after 6 months of boycott protests
2. Collect Pet Store Complaints
Submit Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to government agencies that are required to provide public records:
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Animal Control
Police
Attorney Generals Office
2012 Pet Station, Dearborn Heights, Mi closed after chronic sick dog
complaints filed with local police (detective assigned).
Sample FOIA Request Southfield Police Department 26000 Evergreen Rd Southfield, MI 48076 June 21, 2013 Records Department- FOIA Coordinator, Under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, Act 442, I am requesting all records related to the pet store or persons related to the pet store listed below for 2011 to present including the following: Woof Woof Puppies & Boutique 29555 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 222 Southfield, Mi 48034 Joanne Francis. She may also go buy Joanne Sesi or Zakaria 1. A list of complaints filed including response details. 2. All written testimony provide from complainants. 3. Any investigation documents including photos. 4. All tickets, citations, fines, notifications issued and response details. I agree to pay any reasonable copying and mailing fees of not more than $25.00. If the cost would be greater than this amount, please notify me. Please provide a receipt indicating the charges for each document. If you choose to deny this request for information, please provide a written explanation for the denial including a reference to the specific statutory exemption(s) upon which you rely. Also, please provide all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material. I look forward to your response within five (5) business days of your receipt of this request, as provided by law. Please email all ecopies to [email protected] and hard copies to: Pam Sordyl <insert address> Thank you for your time and your prompt attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 734-718-7100.
2. Collecting Pet Store Complaints (continued)
Better Business Bureau
The Humane Society of the United States
Civil Lawsuits
Criminal Charges
Private Investigator’s Background Check
Online reviews
Pet Abuse.com A good rating does not mean the store does not
have complaints. They may have resolved the ones that were submitted to the BBB.
3. Collect Breeder & Broker Names
Interstate Health Certificates
petshoppuppies.org
ASPCA No Pet Store Puppies Tool
If Petland, reference HSUS 2008/2009 investigation
Visit the store as a puppy buyer
Interstate
Health
Certificate
Log
Pet Store
Breeder
Database
4. Collect Breeder Information
USDA Inspection Reports and Inventory
USDA Enforcement Actions
Kennel Photos and Videos
AKC Suspensions
PetShopPuppies.org
CAPS Investigations
Local Agency Complaints
Civil or Criminal Cases
2011 the USDA started releasing photos taken at USDA licensed facilities.
4. Collect Breeder Information (continued)
USDA Inspection Reports and Inventory
Last three years online
Prior years PetShopPuppies.org
Instructions for viewing USDA inspection reports and inventory:
1. Go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/efoia/
2. Click on the “Inspection Reports and License and Registration List” link
3. Press “I Agree”
4. Type in the USDA number in the ‘Search box’ with dashes and no blank space at the end (i.e.43-A-2819 for Peri Neill).
5. Click on the “Search” button
6. Click on the “Inspections” tab
7. View details to read the annual inspection reports and inventory data.
8. To download the report, right mouse click on the printer icon and choose “Save Target”.
The list of Inspection reports will only include the last three years. Prior year reports are
available on petshoppuppies.org or can be FOIAed through the USDA.
4. Collect Breeder Information (continued)
USDA Enforcement Actions http://www.aphis.usda.gov/foia/enforcement_actions.php
To ensure that its licensees are meeting the AWA standards, APHIS inspectors conduct routine, unannounced inspections of all licensed facilities. Violations of the AWA can lead to penalties, including official warnings, civil penalties and license suspensions/revocations.
For more information on the inspection and enforcement processes, visit APHIS’ animal care website at www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/
4. Collect Breeder Information (continued)
Kennel Photos and Videos USDA
ASPCA Pet Shop Tool
10,000 USDA Photos
Includes mostly 2010-2012 http://nopetstorepuppies.com/buy-a-puppy
Zoning Photos (FOIA permit information)
Animal Control
CAPS Investigations http://www.caps-web.org/component/k2/item/456?Itemid=269
If the kennel is not USDA licensed, check local Zoning for site photos for permits.
4. Collect Breeder Information (continued)
AKC Suspensions Available online
Organized by month in meeting minutes. http://www.akc.org/about/secretarys_page.cfm
Zoning Applications and Site Inspections
Special Use Permits or Deviations
FOIA Local Zoning or Planning Departments
File complaint if not compliant to local zoning ordinances. Then collect photos from inspection.
Local agencies complaints (FOIAs)
Instructions for using petshoppuppies.org
1. Each breeder page has prior USDA inspection reports posted at the bottom of the page.
2. Use this link and change the USDA certificate number for the breeder or broker you are looking for http://www.petshoppuppies.com/report.asp?ID=41A0356
ID: 11056
Date Submitted: 5/15/2010
Breed: German Shepherd Dog
Date Purchased: 4/24/2010
Broker: Lambriar, Inc.
Petshop: Petland Deerfield
Details: Kennel Cough.
ID: 8709
Date Submitted: 5/26/2009
Breed: German Shepherd Dog
Date Purchased: 5/26/2009
Broker: Unknown
Petshop: Animal Kingdom
Details: Healthy
ID: 7684
Date Submitted: 12/31/2008
Breed: German Shepherd Dog
Date Purchased: 12/29/2008
Broker: Unknown
Petshop: Petland
Details: Healthy
ID: -3803
Date Submitted: 1/27/2006
Breed: German Shepherd Dog
Date Purchased: 5/3/2002
Broker: Unknown
Petshop: Petland #205
Details: Healthy
Name: :Lehmann, Gary
DBA:
Address: 41835 County Rd 126
City: Detroit Lakes
County: Becker
State: MN
Zip: 56501
5. Learn the Laws
Breeders
Federal laws apply to USDA breeders
Wholesale only
Animal Welfare Act
Online Educational Courses for Commercial Breeders
State Laws Cruelty Laws
Kennel Laws
Consumer Protection Laws
Local Ordinances
5. Learn the Laws
Pet Stores
State Laws Cruelty Laws
Pet Store Laws and Guidelines
Consumer Protection Laws
Local Ordinances
This store needed to remove the carpet that collected feces and urine along with other
transmittable diseases.
5. Conduct a Pet Store Survey
Know the laws
Visit the store as a puppy buyer
Collect basic information
Do they disclose breeder information?
Look for pet store violations
2011 PMA conducted a Pet Store Survey to determine how many stores disclosed
breeder information.
6. Ask All Stores To Pledge
HSUS Puppy Friendly Pet Store Pledge Initiative
Ask all other stores in region, county, or city to pledge not to sell puppies.
Media opportunity with a positive approach.
Sign up for Oct 2013 webinar.
Find Forms and details on the HSUS site. http://www.humanesociety.org/forms/puppy_friendly_pet_store_pledge.html
Almost 100 Michigan Pet Stores took the Puppy Friendly Pet Store Pledge –
media loved the story
7. Formally Ask Store to Stop
Call the pet store owner versus visiting.
Follow-up with a written request not to sell puppies (adoptions only).
Do not compromise. They can not hold adoption events AND sell puppies. They may want a transition period.
Avoid in-store confrontations.
Rescues Should Boycott Stores
Puppy Mill Awareness does not support any adoption or meet & greet events at any puppy selling store. We are asking all rescues to and the public to boycott puppy selling stores until they stop selling puppies. Working with a puppy selling store should be complete conflict of interest and does not help any campaign efforts made by this group.
Reasons for not working with a puppy store:
1. Any partnership promotes the store and gives them legitimacy that they are helping animals.
2. Any partnership indirectly supports puppy mills.
3. They are selling unaltered animals, while rescued animals are fixed.
4. Animals could be cross contaminated.
8. Work with law enforcement File a compliant per pet store visit.
Ask for an Animal Welfare Check.
Follow up on complaint. Log details.
Chronic problems?
Prior Investigations?
FOIA prior complaints and investigations.
Prepare summary of information collected so far – cause for concern.
Ask for a meeting.
MDA to assist with inspections. Veterinarians.
HSUS assists with criminal investigations.
2013 Krazie Kritters, Cheboygan Mi closed after continuous ACO and MDA visits. Was arrested for repeat pet store violations –
Missing Health Certificates.
Launch a Public Education Campaign
Develop the message
Propose a Humane Pet Acquisition Ordinance
Share Results
Get Community Support
Launch a Petition
Letters to the Editor and Opt Eds
Pre-Protesting
Boycott the Store
The Message The message should always be about the breeding dogs.
Stay away from overpopulation, in-store conditions (sick dogs, small cages, no water, no exercise). They can fix and respond to these things.
Breeding dogs do not want bigger, cleaner cages, they want to be with a family.
Mass production and breeding for profit is never good for the animal.
It is a puppy mill when they put profit over the welfare of the animal.
Dogs need to be treated with dignity, respect and kindness.
9. Ordinance Proposal
Escalate concerns to the city or county.
Propose a Humane Pet Acquisition ordinance to the city council.
See HPAP Website with example ordinances and supporting documents. http://michiganpuppymills.yolasite.com/ordinance-proposal.php
10. Share your results
Put together your findings Write a concise summary
Create a one page Fact Sheet that can be passed out at events
Contact a local investigative reporter and pitch the story
Letters to the Editor
Set up an online petition
Draft a Press Release Create a flyer that is easy to read and print. People
like the FACTS! It shows you did your homework.
10. Share your results (continued)
Get the town talking:
Create Facebook and social media images with messages.
Post online comments to store review sites (Yahoo, Insiderpages, ..)
Call the leasing company, veterinarian, groomer, dog trainer with concerns.
11. Get Community Support
Create a group so supporters and victims can find you:
Meetup
Yahoo
Facebook Page
12. Launch a Petition There is only one Petland store remaining in
Michigan, located at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi. Local
activists from the Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup have
been calling on the store to stop supporting puppy
mills and start supporting rescue.
The group's peaceful demonstrations and public
education campaigns have helped shut down other
Petland stores in the state. The stores don't have to
close -- they can choose to stop selling puppies and
instead work with local rescue groups to promote
adoption, as several other Petland stores around the
country have done.
Support the efforts of Puppy Mill Awareness by telling
Petland Novi to stop selling puppies.
Photo credit: Cara StHilaire
To: Randy Horowitz, Owner, Petland Novi
I am disappointed to learn that your Petland store
continues to sell puppies purchased from commercial
breeders. By doing so, you are supporting an industry
that cruelly treats dogs like commodities, not like the
companion animals that customers come to your
store to buy food, treats and toys for.
I urge you to agree to stop selling animals acquired
from breeders, stop supporting commercial...
http://www.change.org/guides
Protesting Considerations Spend some discussing your concerns with the store prior to protesting so you can tell the public you did approach the store. Protesting should be a last resort. Determine if you are just going to protest one time, have holiday protests, or launch a boycott campaign which is a bigger time commitment. The threat of a protest is powerful, but never sound threatening - consider media impact. Protests can be as peaceful, legal, and safe as you wish. Contact the local police prior to let them know why, when, where you will be protesting, who you are, and how many people are expected. Review local ordinances prior and ask them if you missed any. Suitable for teens, elderly and everyone in between. I recommend protesting heavily around the holidays, every Saturday (12-3) or (4-7), and different days during the week (rush hour). Our protests are sometimes 2 – 4 hours long. We have shifts around the holidays.
Pre-Protesting Ideas
Set up a Parade
Set up a ‘pilot’ protest to warn the store
Set up Round-A-Bout protests in the neighborhood.
Visit the neighbors of the store and distribute literature. Tell them what the protests are about.
15. Know your rights
Speak with the Sergeant
Demonstrations and Protest Guidelines (ACLU) http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/know-your-rights-demonstrations-and-protests
General rules Stay on public right-of-way or easement.
Be orderly and non-disruptive so that pedestrians can pass by and entrances to buildings are not blocked.
Do not disrupt the flow of traffic.
Keep moving if on a public sidewalk.
15. Know your rights (continued)
Property Lines Collect online – GIS software.
Request from the local Zoning Dept or the Road Commission
Trespassing Review State Law Trespass, MCL 750.546 et seq., MSA 28.814 et seq.
Review local ordinances
15. Know your rights (continued)
Banners Check with local code enforcer.
Hold each end if not allowed in the ground.
Do not block views.
If ordinance is unclear, consult with your regional ACLU. They can negotiate banner usage with the city attorney. Have agreement in writing.
15. Know your rights (continued)
Passing out literature You may approach pedestrians on public sidewalks with leaflets, newspapers, petitions and solicitations for donations without a permit. Tables may also be set up on sidewalks for these purposes if sufficient room is left for pedestrians to pass. These types of free speech activities are legal as long as entrances to buildings are not blocked and passers-by are not physically and maliciously detained. However, a permit may be required to set up a table.
16. Effective Protests - Signs Everything must be 100% true!
Make extra signs for participants.
Review all participants signs to ensure message is consistent and accurate.
Bright colored signs attract the most attention.
We used large plastic boards from Dunkin Donuts old displays, cover with stenciled letters and sealed with clear contact paper.
Use long sticks for smaller signs.
Contact paper or clear plastic bags for rain.
Check local ordinances before staking banners in the ground.
17. Example Event Information
Join Puppy Mill Awareness at the Twelve Oaks Mall, home to our nation’s largest puppy peddler – Petland. Help us warn the public about Petland’s mass producing puppy factories and the brokers that deliver “the product”. We plan to protest twice a month on Saturdays for 1 1/2 hours. Check our calendar for more protests through August.
http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/#calendar
Learn more about Petland Novi's breeders on our website. http://michiganpuppymills.yolasite.com/petland.php
Signs: We will have plenty of signs to hold.
Contact: Pam Sordyl 734-718-7100
Parking: Park in the back of Denny's lot.
General Reminders:
1) Do not go into the store, before, during or after the protest. If you choose to protest, you can no longer go into the store to check anything out on any day.
2) Do not walk or park in the mall lot. We have to stay on public property. If you cut across the mall property, keep your sign down and make a straight line approach. For this protest we will not need to cut across the mall property. The easement is approximately 20 feet from the road.
3) Do not stand too close to the entrance.
4) Do not block the view of vehicles pulling out of the mall.
5) Do not interrupt the flow of traffic. If cars stop, make sure they pull around to our parking area and keep moving.
6) Please do not bring your dog. We do not recommend having animals at protests that are near traffic and subject to potentially bad weather.
Join our Petland Novi Boycott Facebook
Petland: There is only one Petland store remaining in Michigan, located at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi. Local activists from the Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup have been calling on the store to stop supporting puppy mills and start supporting rescue. Protests began after Channel 7 exposed this store for selling a sick puppy. Heather Catello from the Investigators came back again in 2009 after another sick dog was reported. Puppy Mill Awareness came out too armed with signs. Like all campaigns, we did meet with Mall management to show our concerns. We wrote letters to the store owner and exhausted all opportunities to negotiate a better contribution to the community. Approximately 100 peaceful demonstrations have been held. These demonstrations and public education campaigns have helped shut down other Petland stores in the state. The stores don't have to close -- they can choose to stop selling puppies and instead work with local rescue groups to promote adoption, as several other Petland stores around the country have done.
The above photo was taken at Shauna & Robert Engelken's kennel in Seneca, KS a supplier to Petland Novi.
Call it a protest or
demonstration.
Include date, start time,
end time, and where
they will be standing.
Some people may go
into the mall or in front
of the store on private
property.
Provide parking
information.
See example event for
additional information to
include.
18. Protesting – Attracting The Media
Issue Press Release
Issue a Press Advisory
Call the media’s assignment desk prior to the demonstration.
Ask if they will be covering the event.
Have all of the information they may need in your hands.
If there is no press once the rally is under way, you can call, as if you are driving by to report the demonstration, or asking what it is about.
Example Press Release Michigan Watchdog Group Plans Six City Protest this Holiday Season Puppy stores in metro Detroit asked to stop selling puppy mill puppies FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2012 CONTACT: Pam Sordyl, [email protected], 734-718-7100 DETROIT, Mich. – Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan will be protesting at six metro-Detroit area locations this holiday season to warn the public about puppy stores and their connection to puppy mills. Protests are scheduled at the following locations starting Black Friday November 23, 2012 and Saturday, November 24, 2012: 1. Genesee Valley Center located in Flint Mi; 2. Fountain Walk located in Novi Mi; 3. Green Oak Village Place located in Brighton Mi; 4. Macomb Mall located in Roseville Mi; 5. Oakland Mall located in Troy Mi; and 6. Utica Pet Supply, Utica Mi The protest schedule can be found on the group’s Meetup calendar. Concerned citizens are invited to join the protests. http://www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/#calendar “We are scheduling protests at malls harboring our states largest puppy retailers: The Family Puppy and Petland,” said Pam Sordyl, the groups founder. “They have a history of working with large out-of-state commercial breeders (“puppy mills”) with violations to the Animal Welfare Act and that families can not easily visit”. The group cites evidence of working with puppy mill operations through the USDA inspection reports, adult dog inventory numbers and photos of violations. This information can be found on the Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan website. http://michiganpuppymills.yolasite.com/shameful-pet-stores.php The USDA recently released over 60 photos taken at The Family Puppy, Petland and Utica Pet Supply’s breeders during annual inspections. Photos show a build up of dirt and grime on walls, severely rusted cages, excessive accumulation of feces, large amounts of maggots, and unlicensed surgical rooms. The Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup is working to build awareness toward ending mass production of dogs in puppy mills. The group’s public education campaign teaches the public about the origins of pet store puppies and lobbies for stronger laws for animal breeding. Learn more about Puppy Mill Awareness http://www.meetup.com/detroit-puppy-mill-awareness/about/ For more information, or to arrange an interview with a Puppy Mill Awareness member, please contact Pam Sordyl at 734-718-7100 or [email protected]. ###
19. Counter Protests
Attracts media attention! Your protest will look bigger and attract more attention. Do not speak with counter protesters Often counter protesters include employees, groomers and regular customers who may not be informed. Offer literature to them. The police may decide to separate the groups. Try protesting across the street to keep tensions lower. Keep your video camera on.
Boycotting the Store Effective boycotts may take 6 months or more every Saturday with at least 10 people
Protests are always a last resort
Plan a month or more in advance.
Create an “event” to advertise among other local businesses
Plan in conjunction with a larger event (Puppy Mill Awareness Day)
Advertise with dog related groups: trainers, humane societies, shelters, rescue groups, groomers, daycares. Join their Facebooks.
Order Banners. I use eSigns.
Prepare a press release and press advisory.
Outline media talking points.
Visit City Council Meetings to let them know what your campaign is all about. Educate them about puppy mills.
Next Webinars Filing Animal Neglect Complaints – Understanding the Laws in Michigan Tuesday, August 6th EST 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 10th EST 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
A Rescues Code of Ethics – Ending the Cycle Tuesday, September 10th, EST 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 14th EST 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
The Puppy Friendly Pet Store (HSUS) and Mall Project Tuesday, October 8th, EST 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 12th 14th EST 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.